Coupling unit



July 16, 1946. A, AL A E 2,404,329

COUPLING UNIT Filed A ril 8, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. J4 Vla Wallace.

July 16, 1946. D. A. WALLACE COUPLING UNIT 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8, 1944 INVENTOR. flarz ai /7. Wallace.

' B /YM fiTTdKNEYS.

July 16, 1946. Q A LACE 2,404,329

COUPLING UNIT Filed April 8, 1944 e Sheets Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

5. WMMWW July 16, 1946.

D. A. WALLACE COUPLING UNIT 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 8, 1944 .2. INVENTOR.

.Zm Z'J I7. Wallace.

BY #W y 6, .1946. D. A. WALLACE 2,404,329

' COUPLING UNIT Filed A rils; 1944 e Sheets-Shet 6 INVENTOR.

' Wat Z2 )7 144 11266.

Patented July 16. 1946 COUPLING UNIT David A. Wallace, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a j corporation of Delaware Application April 8, 1944, Serial No. 530,215

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved coupling apparatus.

More particularly, the invention pertains to improvements in co-upling apparatus of the type which may be used in towing or pushing one vessel or vehicle by another. 7

One of themain objects of the invention is to provide an improved coupler in apparatus of this character which is adapted to receive and clampingly embrace a plain, cylindrical post-like fixture with a force which is increased by the tendency of .coupler and post to vibrate or shift relative to each other. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a coupler in apparatus of this kind which hasa self-closing action when engaged by-the post:

like fixture it is adapted to receive and which may be manually conditioned to open in response to relative separatory movement of the coupler and post. V

A further object of the invention is to provide relatively pivotally movable jaws in coupling apparatus of this kind which have a pivotal axis so offset laterally with respect to the. central plane of the space betweenthe jaws when the latter are closed, as to provide a relatively wide entrance for admission of the post when the jaws are in their open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a pivotally movable jaw of a coupler of this character an extension which; projects into the space between the jaws at a location spaced substantially from the offset pivotal connection thereof for engaging the post as the latter is re.- ceived between the jaws in order to move the pivotal jaw toward its closed position regardless of the angle of approach of the post and coupling.

An additional object of the invention is to provide in coupling apparatus of this kind a universally pivotal mounting for the coupler jaw unit which accommodates both rockingand pitching movements of one of a pair of coupled vehicles or vessels relative to the other and about angularly related axes respectively.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means in apparatus of this character for absorbing shock incident to both coupling and uncoupling operations, as well as that which occurs during towing or pushing operations.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a post-like fixture in coupling apparatus of this kind which may be embraced by the .coupler jaws at relatively :widely, vertically spaced locations corresponding to the draft of a vessel when I emptyandunder full load, respectively; to provide a coupler unit which may be released, without uncoupling it from the post-like fixture,v in order to adjust the-coupler unit on the post for changes in the draft of one of the coupled vessels with ,re'spectto that-of the other which result .2 from variations in the respective loads carried thereby and to provide a coupler and .coupling post fixture on a pair of vessels which 'areso located vertically with respect to each other and the respective vessels as to advantageously transmit either a pushing or towing force'from one vessel to the other while the post and coupling unit are connected at any oneof a relatively wide range of vertically spaced positions;

Additional objects of the invention aretdprovide couplin apparatus .which may be applied singly or in tandem betWeen apair of vehicles or vessels one of whichis to be towed or pushedby theother and to provide couplers which may be readily released and reset to accommodatean angular disposition of one vehicle or vessel relative to the other for facilitating maneuvering during parking and docking. h M

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a locking bar in a coupling of this kind which, when in oneposition,serves to positively lock the jaws thereof against opening and which, when in a different position, serves to yieldably oppose unintended closing of such jaws from an open position; to provide coupling units of this character which are adaptedto be arranged in vertically aligned pairs for .coacting with the same post of an associatedfixture; and to provide interconnected jaw-locking mechanism in an assembly of coupling units of this kind by.

which the clampingjaws of the respective units can .be simultaneously locked and unlocked.

Illustrative embodiments, of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings; in which:

the coupling apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing coupling apparatus embodying the invention applied to a propelling and propelled device such as a tug and barge or vehicle andtrailer,

Fig. 5 is a side elevational viewoof the assembly shown in Fig. 4. A

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view ta en 191 11 1? 5.?5 .of Fi 4. 1

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig-3, illustrating the relative positions of the locking bar and associated parts of the coupling when the jaw elements thereof are positively locked in closed position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the coupling shown in Fig. 1, j 7

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig; 7-but showing the locking bar in position to accommodate initial opj n l of the jaws of thecoup ina Fig. l0 isaview similar toFigs. and -9'but v open position.

I showing the locking bar in position to yieldably oppose unintended closing of the jaws from their Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the locking bar and the jaw element of the coupling;

with which it cooperates.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating pling comprises a head portion, generally desige nated by the numeral Ill, which includes a stationary body I I having a jaw I I and a relatively pivotally movablejaw I2 which is pivotally attached thereto by a pin I3. The head portion I3 7 is pivotally mounted at I4 on the outer end of a bar I5 which is shiftably mounted in a cylindrical casing I6. The casing I5 is adapted to be attached to the deck I! of a tug, barge, or other vessel by mounting brackets I3 and I9. The bar I5 extends centrally of the casing is and is slidably supported at the rear end of the casing by a bearing I9 mounted in an aperture formed in an end wall of the casing I6. Fixed on the inner end of the bar I5 is a collar 2| having a periphery which slidably engages the inner surface of the casing I6, thus supporting the inner end of the bar. A coil spring 22 is biased between one side of the collar 2| and the rear end wall 20 of the casing and a similar coil spring 23 is biased between the opposite side of the collar 2| and thefront end Wall 24 of the casing. The

' posite directions and they may also vary in rate or stiifnessto meet required thrusts in such respective directions. .The bar I5 is so supported by the foregoing structure as to accommodate oscillative movement of the bar about its longitudinal axis as well as shifting thereof in the direction of this axis. Inasmuch as the rotative axis of the bar I5 is, as shown in- Figs. 1 and 2,substantially'normal to the pivotal axis of the head I3 which is provided by the pin I4, the head portion Iii is thus free to pivot universally-in all directions as well as to shift bodily against the actions of the springs 22 and 23. A spring I5 having an intermediate portion coiled about a pin I6 carried by an extension I'l' projecting downwardly from the bar I5, has its opposite ends biased between the bar I5 and the head portion It so as to normally yieldably retain'the latter in longitudinal alignment with the bar I5.

The jaws H and I2 are adapted to clampingly embrace a purchase provided on a Vessel or vehicle such as a post 25 of a fixture, generally designated at 26. A The fixture 26 includes an upper T bracket 21 which is adapted to be attached to. the

deck 28 of a vessel and a lower bracket 29 which the forward vertical wall 30 of the barge. The

post 25 is preferably held in spaced relation from the bow of thebarge in order to accommodate free access of the jaws to the post as well as relative movement of the jaws and post. The post 25 also preferably extends a substantial distance above and below the level of the deck 28 so as to facilitate attachment of the coupling to the post at Various elevations as required by variationsof the drafts of the vessels.

The axis for the p-ivotally mounted jaw I2 provided by the pin I3 is laterally offset with respect to, the central plane of the space between the jaws when the latter are closed so as to provide a relatively wide entrance for admission of the post 25 when the jaws are in open position." The pivoted jaw I2 has a substantially semi-cylindrical seat 3| which is formed in part by an extension 32 that projects into the space between the is preferably securable to an end wall of the Vessel. When applied to a barge, for example, the bracket 29 may be attached to that portion of the hull which is normally inclined With res pect to jaws when the latter are open. The extension 32 has an inclined face 33. which is adapted to abut the post as the latter moves into the entrance between the jaws. Engagement of the post 25 with the extension 32 promotes rotation of the pivotal jaw I2 towards its closed position as the post 25 and coupling head portion I 0 approach each other during coupling operation. With this construction, approaching movement of the post and coupling head portion throughout a wide range of angles of approach results in automatic closing of the jaws ofthe coupling and ultimate disposition of the post 25 in the semi-cylindrical seat 3|.

The pivotal jaw member I2 has an outwardly protruding segment 34 which is disposed about the axis of the pin I3 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, from the extension 32. The segment 34 is receivable in a channel 35 disposed between upper and lower wall portions 36 provided on the stationary jaw member I I which serve to support the pin I3. A substantially vertically disposed locking bar 3'! is shiftably mounted in registering passages 33 and 39 formed in the upper and lower wall portions 36, respectively, of the stationary jaw member. As illustrated inFigs. 7 to 11, the locking bar 31 is adapted to cooperate with the pivotal jaw member I 2 in yieldably holding it in an open posi tion and in positively looking it in a closed position. The lower end section of he locking bar 31 is of less thickness than the upper end section thereof and there is provided at the junctionof these two sections a shoulder 38 which, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the segment 34 in order to yieldably hold the pivoted jaw I2 against un.-, intended displacement from an open position by vibration and other actions to which it is subjected.

The segment 34 is provided with a notch 40 for receiving a portion of the upper section of the locking bar 31 when the pivotal jaw I2 is in closed position. The notch 40 has a shoulder 4| at one end which is engageable with the side surface 42 of the bar 31 for positively locking the jaw I2 against opening movement when the locking bar is in its lower position, as viewed in Fig. 7. As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 11, the upper end section of the locking bar is tapered in width from a maximum width at its upper end so as to wedgingly engage between the shoulder and awall'of each of the passages 33 and 39 through which the bar extends, thus tending. to urge the jaw I2 toward a further closed position. This taper'of the upper end of the locking bar also accommodates closing the jaws into'gripping re-v of difthe concaved side faces of the jaws H and 12 which engage the post 25 for coacting irictionally therewith. This yieldable lining material and the wedging action of the locking bar 31 promotes working of the jaws into increasingly tighter gripping relation with respect to the post 25 as a result of relative turning of -the couplingand post about the-axis of the-latter-due to vibration and relative movements of the vessels or vehicles connectedtherebyv a 4. The lockingbar-3I- is normally urged downwardly byits own weightand by'the gravity action of a control lever 43 which-is pivotedat 44 to a bracket45 extending upwardly'fro'm the head portion- Illof the coupling. The lever 43has .an'

arm 46 pivotally connected at 41- to the upper end of the locking bar. Pivotalmovement'of the lever 43in a counter-clockwise direction about the pivot 44, as viewed in Fig. 5, liftsthe bar from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 9. Latch mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 48, is provided in order that the lever 43 'may be released after the-locking bar 31 israised to its upper position without permitting the latter to return to its lower -position.- This mechanism includesa latch member 49 pivoted-on a-pin-50 mountedin ears 5I-which protrude-from the body portion I0 of the coupling. The latch member 49 has a pointed edge portion 52 whiohis adapted to engage in a notch 53 formed in the side of the locking bar 31 opposite from the segment 34. The latch mem-- ber 49 is biased by its weight in a clockwise direction about the-axis of the pin 50 and readily engages in the notch 53 when the latter is -raised into registration with it. r

When the lock-bar Blis thus held inits upper position, the pivoted jaw member is freetobe opened manually or in response to separatory movement of: the coupling member and post. During opening movement of the pivoted jaw member I2- a lug 54- which projects upwardly from the segment 34, at a location spaced from the shoulder 4|, engages a finger 55 on thelatch member 49. The-lug 54 has-an inclined-side 55 which cams the latch member 49-in a counterclockwise direction aboutits pivo'tal axis; as illustrated in Fig.- 10, until the edge-52 thereof becomes disengaged from the notch 53. The locking bar 31 is then permitted.- to descend until the shoulder 3850f the locking bar rests upon the upper surface portion of the segment 34 which is located between the lug 54 andthe endwall 4| of the notch 40. The weightof the locking barthus applied on the segment 34 yieldably opposes unintended closing of the jaw l2. Opening of the jaw l2 islimited byengagement of an upstanding flange 55 on thejaw l2 with a stop 65 protruding from the ear 36, as shown in Fig. 2. When the jaw is subsequently closed, as heretofore setforth, the accompanying rotation of the segment brings the notch 40 into registration with the bar 31 which drops into the notch 40, thus positively locking the jaw 12 against opening. I

Two vessels may be coupled together, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, by a single coupling embodying the invention. The coupling unit and post are preferably located in the longitudinal central plane pi. the vessels which may be releasably held against unintended displacement sels during maneuvering.

6 p from longitudinal alignment bya cable. 51 hav ing its opposite ends fixed to one vessel at laterally spaced locations and having its intermediate part coiled about a capstan. 58. The .vessels may be fixed in angular relation by releasing the coupling and turning the drum of the capstan to selectively predetermine, the lengths of. the sections: of cable leading from the capstan.

.A pair of vessels may be coupled together, as illustrated in Fig. 12, with the aid of two laterally spaced couplings. In this use of coupling a'pparatus embodying the invention, a cable 59 may be fixed at its opposite end, as shown in :Figs..-4 and 5,4t'olaterally spaced locations on one vessel and looped over a spring pressed pulley, generally designated by the numeral 60, mounted on the other vessel. The cable is thus tensionedv and serves to-prevent complete separation of the v. e's-, The vessels may .zbe connected by only either one/of the coupling units when it is desired to dispose them in angular relation for purposes of docking and maneuvering.

In Fig. 13, is illustrated the employment of vertically aligned couplings of the character shown in Figs. 1 to 1-2 for connecti'onwith thesame post. Th locking bars 31 of each of the couplings shown in Fig. 13 are connected together by a link 6| so as to be simultaneously operated by manipulation of the lever 43 ofthe upper coupling,the corresponding control lever of the lower coupling being omitted.

The improved coupling apparatus is pivotally actions. The jaws may be preset in widely spaced open relationship to facilitate entry of a post or other purchase portion of a .fixture therebetween. Closing of thejaws is entirely automatically produced by movement of the post into position to be gripped by the jaws. The w'edging action of the locking bar assures firm gripping of the post by the jaws and the yieldable frictional. lining of thejaws assists in the attainment of an increased gripping action; The locking bar can be preset in its released position to facilitate uncoupling of the unit in response to relative sep-aratory movement of the vessels; Full opening of the jaws brings the locking bar into positionto yieldably oppose unintended closing of the jawsand into readiness for its next locking action. p

Coupling apparatus embodying the invention may be employed to releasably'couple together vehicles and other objects, as well as vessels.x

Although but several specific embodiments of the invention are herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in the sequence of operations, steps and materials employed may be made without departing from the. spirit of the invention.

- I claim:

1. Apparatus for coupling one body to another body having a member thereon providing a purchase comprising a clampin member including a pair of relatively movable jaws having, clamping ends between which said purchase is receiv-. able, 3, yieldable lining material on at least one of the internal surfaces of said jaws having an extensive surface area for frictionally contacting with said purchase, one of said jaws having a passageway therein and the other having an abutment .registerable with .said' passageway, and means for releasably locking said jawsin closed embracing relationship with respect to said pur- 7 V chase comprising a wedge member ,shiftably mounted in said recess and having opposite diverging sides' directly engageable', respectively, with said abutment and a wall of said passageway, said wedge member being adapted to shift in response to relative movement of said jaws when the latter are in closed position Ifor increasing the gripping action thereof upon said p'urchase. and for 'retainingsaid yieldable material under compression between said jaws and said purchase;

3J2. coupling comprising relatively movable jaw elements each having a clamping end portion adapted to embrace an object, sheet-like yieldable lining material on the internal surfaces of said clamping end portions having a substantially extensive surface area adapted to frictionally engage said object, and a releasable locking bar shiftably mounted on said coupling having a tapered portion adapted to cooperate with opposed surfaces on each of said jaw elements for opposing opening movement thereof from a closed position, said locking bar being s'hi'ftabl during vibratory movement of said jaw elements relative to each other when closed for opposing. opening thereof from progressively more closed positions and for progressivelyincreasing'compression of said yieldable material between said object and saidclamping end portions' 3. A coupling comprising relatively movable jaw elements having clamping end portions formed to embracingly partially surround an object and having opposite overlapping end portions, sheet-like yieldable frictional lining material on th internal sides of said clamping end portions, having a substantially extensive frictional surface area, a pivot connecting said jaw elements at a location intermediate said end portions, one of said overlappin'gend portions having a slot therein located on the side of said pivot -oppos1te from its clamping end portion, and the other of said superimposed end portions havin a shoulder registerable with said slot, and a locking bar shiftab-ly mounted in said slot havinga wedge-shaped portion engageable with said shoul- Her and an end of said slot for progressively wedging said overlapping end portions apart and said clamping end portions together into firm gripping engagement with said object during slight relat-ivemovements of said jaw elements.

e. A coupling comprising relatively movable jaw I elements having clamping end portions formed to embracingly partially surround an objectzand having opposite overlapping end portions, yieldable frictional lining material on the internal sides of said clamping end portions, a pivot connecting said jaw elements at a location intermediate said end portions, one of said overlapping end portions having a slot therein located on the side of said pivot opposite from its clamping end portion, and the other of said superimposed end portions having a shoulder registerable with said slot, a locking bar shiftably mounted in said slot having a wedge-shaped portion engageable with said shoulder and an end of said slot for progressively wedging said overlapping end portions apart and said clamping end portions to gether into firm gripping engagement with said object during slight relative movements of said jaw elements, said locking bar having :a reduced end portion adapted when aligned with said shoulder to accommodate opening of said jaw elements, means for shifting said locking bar to hringlsaid reduced end portion thereof into alignment with said shoulder. a latch element for releasably holding said locking bar in said last mentioned-position, and means on one of said jaw elements engageable with said latch elementfor releasing the same to accommodate movement of said wedge portion into registration with said ping end portions, ,a pivot connecting said jaw 7 elements; at a location intermediate said end portions,- one; of said jaw elements of each unit having a slot therein located on the side of said pivot opposite fromvits clamping end portion and the other'having a shoulder registerable with said slot when said jaw elements are in closed position, mechanism for releasably locking each of said clamping units, in closed position comprising a locking bar shiftably mounted in each of, said slots having an abutment engageable with the associated shoulder respectively and a member interconnecting saidlocking bars, and an operating member connected with one of said locking bars and adapted to shift both of said locking bars for bringing said abutments out of alignment with said shoulders in order to simultaneously accommodate opening of both of said clamping units.

6. Coupling apparatus comprising a support, a pair of clamping units mounted on said support in vertically spaced relationship, each including a pair of relatively movable jaw elements, a member shiftably mounted on each of said units for releasabiy locking the clamping jaw elements thereof in closed position, means for intercomnecting said members, and an operating lever connected with one of said members forsimultaneously shifting said members to their jaw element releasing positions.

7 A coupling comprising relatively movable jaw end portions having a slot therein located on the side of said pivot opposite from its clamping :end portion, and the other of said superimposed end portions having a shoulder registerable with said slot a locking bar shiftably mounted in said slot having a wedge-shaped portion engageable with said shoulder and an end of saidslot for progressively wedging said overlapping end portions apart and said clamping end portions together into firm gripping engagement with said object during slight relative movements of said jaw elements, said locking bar having a reduced end portion adapted when aligned with said shoulder to accommodate opening of said jaw elements, means for shifting saidlocking bar to bring said reduced end portion thereof into alignment with said shoulder, a latch element for releasably holding said locking bar in said last mentioned position, and means on one of said jaw elements engageable with said latch element for releasing the same to accommodate movement of said wedge portion into registration with said shoulder during initial relative closing movement of said jaw elements. l j

r DAVID A WALLACE. 

